ARCTIC FOX. 
91 
DIMENSIONS. 
Specimen obtained on the northeastern portion of the American conti- 
nent by Captain Pettigru, and presented by him to the museum 
of the Charleston College. 
Feet. Inches. 
From point of nose to root of tail, - - - 2 4 
Length of tail (vertebra), 1 
“ “ (including fur), .... 1 2 
“ head, 6 
From point of nose to eye, 23 
Height of ear anteriorly, 2 
From heel to point of middle claw, - 2 b 
Longest nail on the fore foot, ... - 1,V 
“ “ hind foot, - 3 
Average weight about eight pounds, varying, according to Captain 
Lyon, from seven to nine and a half pounds when in good case. 
HABITS. 
From our description of the Arctic Fox, it will have been observed that 
this animal is well adapted to endure the severest cold. In winter its feet 
are thickly clothed with hair, even on the soles, which its movements on 
the ice and snow do not wear away, as would be the case if it trod upon 
the naked earth. These softly and thickly haired soles serve the double 
purpose of preserving its feet from the effects of frost and enabling it 
to run briskly and without slipping over the smooth icv tracts it must 
traverse. 
The Arctic Fox is a singular animal, presenting rather the a-ppearance 
of a little stumpy, round-eared cur, than that of the sharp and cunning- 
looking Foxes of other species which are found in more temperate climes. 
The character (for all animals have a character) and habits of this species 
are in accordance with its appearance ; it is comparatively unsuspicious 
and gentle, and is less snappish and spiteful, even when first captured, 
than any other Fox with which we are acquainted. 
At times there is seen a variety of this Fox, which has been called the 
Sooty Fox, but which is in all probability only the young, or at any rate 
is not a permanent variety, and which does not turn white in winter, 
although the species generally becomes white at that season. It is said 
likewise that the white Arctic Foxes do not all assume a brown tint in 
the summer. Richardson says that only a majority of these animals 
